We enter the bar through the back entrance, which is connected by a short hallway I had built a couple of years ago. Only my officers use it and Raven because it leads to her bar and she demanded access.
The place is busy tonight, it’s Friday after all. A bunch of brothers are gathered at a table near where we enter, some are at the bar and I spot Raven chatting with a few of the locals who are regulars here. It’s not usually my scene but if it can take me out of my head for a while, then I’ll deal with it.
Raven spots me and her brother, says something to the girl behind the bar, who passes over a bottle and two glasses, then she comes over.
“Wasn’t expecting to see you in here tonight.”
Rebel rolls his eyes. “It’s our bar.”
“Fuck you, douchebag. It’s mine.”
This is an old argument. Truth is the bar does belong to the club, for a lot of years. When Raven took it over, she turned the place around, it became less of a biker hangout and more a part of the neighborhood, which is what I’ve always wanted for the club. It may not be her name on the deed, but as far as I’m concerned, the place is hers.
I’m not getting between the two of them and their petty squabbles, I know better.
“Thanks,” I take the bottle and glasses and turn around.
“Oh, I put someone else at your usual table. I didn’t know you were going to come in tonight.”
“What the fuck did you do that for?” Rebel snaps.
“It’s no big deal,” I motion to empty stools at the bar.
“I can ask them to move,” Raven says. “But I don’t want to.”
“Jesus,” Rebel shakes his head.
“It’s fine, I just want a couple of drinks and to not be bothered,” I turn again and glance at our table and stop in my tracks.
It’s Cherry…
My first instinct is to run my eyes over her, to feel like the fantasies I’ve been having all day have manifested her here. Then my suspicions grow. I haven’t got to be a successful president by not trusting my gut.Three times in one day, when shit is going down at my club. And now she's here at the club bar.
No, this is far too much of a coincidence.
I’m going to find out what the fuck she is doing in here.
Rebel sees the change in my body language and follows where I’m staring. He glances back at Raven then turns his back on her.
“What’s wrong? Or should I say which one do you want?”
“I’ve seen her three times today.”
His jovial mood changes instantly. “She's following you?”
Is she? Technically… She works at the clinic where Jesse is cared for. He said she was his nurse. I don’t know how long she’s been there. Has she been getting close to him for a reason? She barged her way into my house this morning and she saw Oscar, that could be put down to her helping him out, bringing in the groceries.
Then it was me who showed up at the clinic, not her coming to find me. But that could have been orchestrated too. It isn’t only men who can betray and cheat. And using a woman to get closer to me, find out about my son is one way of doing it.
“Doubt it. Send Speedway to the house anyway, tell him not to go inside, only keep watch.”
Speedway is Sheridan’s brother and knows about Oscar. He isn’t here tonight, and he lives near to my place.
Rebel takes out his phone to do as I ask.
As I watch, Taylor gets up from the chair and straightens out her top. She laughs at something the woman with her says, who is pointing towards the bathrooms. Taylor walks in that direction, she doesn’t see me.
Or maybe she is making a point of not looking at me. Maybe she is going to tell someone where I am. I shove the bottle and glasses at Rebel and follow her.
